8. Jim Cornette

Jim Cornette first gained National Attention as the vocal leader of the Midnights, but the outspoken manager achieved greater notoriety upon leaving the National Wrestling Alliance.Cornette’s love of wrestling led him to create his own promotion, Smoky Mountain Wrestling and managed to get a talent trade off with the World Wrestling Federation.Probably, the best talent he sent to Stamford was himself as he became the “American Spokesperson” for Yokozuna and when SMW folded, he remained with Vince as a behind the scene player and on screen character.

Cornette would go to work creating stars of the future in OVW, and after his acrimonious departure he would lend his talents to TNA and currently Ring of Honor. The mind of Jim Cornette for Professional Wrestling can not be questioned, and his on screen abilities made him the greatest manager (with the possible exception of Bobby “The Brain” Heenan) of all time. His beliefs have often caused him to burn bridges in wrestling, but who are we kidding? Bridges always get put back together in wrestling! Now wouldn’t that be one hell of an induction speech!

Should Jim Cornette be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 79.3%

Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 2.4%

Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 1.6%

No opinion. - 0.2%

No way! - 16.1%

The Bullet Points

Other Aliases: James E. Cornette
Billed From: U.S.A. (Louisville, Kentucky)
Key Championships Held: None
Why they will get in: His love of wrestling is undeniable as has been his impact.
Why they won't get in: If anyone can talk his way out of an induction it would be Jim Cornette.
Five Greatest Matches/Moments: 1. Falls off the Scaffold (during the Starrcade Scaffold Match) and probably creates the most famous moment in the history of that type of match. He blew his knees out in the process (11/28/86)
2. Leads the Midnight Express against the “Original” Midnight Express and this was the high water mark of his unexpected face run (12/26/88)
3. Forms Smoky Mountain Wrestling (1991)
4. Debuts in the WWF as the American Spokesman of Yokozuna (1993)
5. Signed with Ring of Honor (2009)